Meet The Internet

The act of signing online has radically changed into basically always being online. The internet is no longer closely associated with desktop computers. My phone is a miniature computer hooked into the internet. I’m not going to sit here and tell you about the science behind all this-not my forte. But let’s just say we’ve got satellites circling everywhere, delivering technology across all sorts of mediums.

Like many other internet surfers, I have a ritualistic approach to hang-gliding the World Wide Wave. Top 5 websites I frequently visit:

Yes, 3 of the 5 are trashy gossip sites. Gawker is borderline news, and MakeUseOf is a handy reference guide for pcs, smartphones and tablets.

And, if all my “regular” websites are dead ends, the Google search box will do just fine. The possibilities are endless. I first joined the virtual World Wackadoodle Web in 1996. I was in highschool when the Internet made it’s official debut. The feeling of “signing online” was magical. I found message boards and chat rooms and it made my life a little easier. I felt like a social outcast during those painful teenage years, so a form of pleasant human interaction was refreshing.

Roughly twenty years have passed. No more dial up, modem, or America Online. No minute rates, no extra charges. Unfortunately, my email is no longer exciting or optional. I’ve followed the news, devoured juicy celebrity gossip for hours, and seen many things which cannot be unseen. Many things. I’ve researched, stalked, or investigated topics and individuals at odd hours.

The Internet has its up sides. I’ve met great people with whom I formed long-lasting real life friendships. It’s easy to find those you’ve lost touch with over the years, and keep in touch with all one’s various ‘networks.’

Even platforms like Twitter have the potential for great things. Before the Internet, I had to use air mail to write letters to celebrities. I remember sending fan mail to Jon Bon Jovi. I was in the Bon Jovi fan club and everything. in my many spare hours as a 12 year old, I’d fantasize about hearing back from good ol Bon in the mailbox. So for the record, Twitter is far kinder when it comes to celebrity rejection. Most likely,one will wait about 2 hours hoping for a response. No mailman circling the block. Just a 140 character reply or nothing at all. I can’t help but wonder if things would have turned out differently had Twitter existed in 1992.